Statewide Programs
MY High School Mock Trial Program
In partnership with the Maryland Judiciary, MYLaw coordinates the annual high school Mock Trial Competition. Initiated in 1983, the Mock Trial program has grown from 5 teams to nearly 150 statewide. Mock Trial is organized in accordance with our judicial circuits, and each circuit has its own coordinator who is critical to the successful operation of the local program. MYLaw oversees the program in its entirety, develops a new civil or criminal case each year, and coordinates the statewide competitions including the Regionals, Semi-Finals, and State Championship.
The mission of Mock Trial is to:
In partnership with the Maryland Judiciary, MYLaw coordinates the annual high school Mock Trial Competition. Initiated in 1983, the Mock Trial program has grown from 5 teams to nearly 150 statewide. Mock Trial is organized in accordance with our judicial circuits, and each circuit has its own coordinator who is critical to the successful operation of the local program. MYLaw oversees the program in its entirety, develops a new civil or criminal case each year, and coordinates the statewide competitions including the Regionals, Semi-Finals, and State Championship.
The mission of Mock Trial is to:
- further understanding of the law, court procedures, and the legal system;
- increase proficiency in basic life skills such as listening, speaking, reading and reasoning;
- promote better communication and cooperation between the high school community and legal profession; and
- heighten appreciation for academic studies as well as career consciousness of law-related professions.
MY Summer Law Academy
MYLaw is pleased to bring a fantastic opportunity to Maryland youth: a hands-on, four-day forensics academy that offers field trips, expert speakers, demonstrations, and more!
MYLaw is pleased to bring a fantastic opportunity to Maryland youth: a hands-on, four-day forensics academy that offers field trips, expert speakers, demonstrations, and more!
MY Moot Court
The Moot Court Competition is an opportunity for high school students to argue legal issues in a simulated appellate-level hearing. Unlike arguing evidence and facts in a mock trial, moot court offers a chance to argue the constitutionality of an issue. Begun by a small but dedicated group of Baltimore County educators and volunteers, MYLaw offers the Moot Court competition in late Fall.
The Moot Court Competition is an opportunity for high school students to argue legal issues in a simulated appellate-level hearing. Unlike arguing evidence and facts in a mock trial, moot court offers a chance to argue the constitutionality of an issue. Begun by a small but dedicated group of Baltimore County educators and volunteers, MYLaw offers the Moot Court competition in late Fall.
Baltimore City Programs
MY Baltimore City Teen Court
Baltimore City Teen Court began in 1999, and is one of about a dozen youth court programs currently operating in Maryland. Teen Court is part of a national trend, made available to young people who have been arrested for misdemeanors, for the purpose of diverting them out of the juvenile justice system. The program relies on the youth respondent accepting responsibility for his/her actions and providing restitution to the community where the offense occurred. Over its lifespan, BCTC has adjudicated more than 2,500 young people, for whom the recidivism rate is much lower than that of the juvenile system.
Baltimore City Teen Court began in 1999, and is one of about a dozen youth court programs currently operating in Maryland. Teen Court is part of a national trend, made available to young people who have been arrested for misdemeanors, for the purpose of diverting them out of the juvenile justice system. The program relies on the youth respondent accepting responsibility for his/her actions and providing restitution to the community where the offense occurred. Over its lifespan, BCTC has adjudicated more than 2,500 young people, for whom the recidivism rate is much lower than that of the juvenile system.
MY Baltimore City Law Links
The Law Links Internship was initiated in Baltimore City in 1994; over the years, and dependent on funding, Law Links expanded to include other counties. It currently runs in Baltimore City, and is available to rising juniors and seniors who attend city public high schools.
Law Links is a 7-week, paid summer internship that places high school juniors and seniors in law firms and law-related agencies. Interns work full-time, Monday through Friday, and are paid $11.00/hour. In addition to the on-site internship, students also participate in the Law & Leadership Institute - a 50-hour educational seminar that begins with a 2 1/2 day orientation and resumes each Wednesday morning. The Institute is held at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
The internship is much more than a summer-jobs program: it is designed to effectively prepare young people for college and careers. As part of their participation in Law Links, youth are outfitted with professional attire from either Ann Taylor or Joseph A. Banks. This removes the question of what is "appropriate" professional dress, and also ensures no student is at a financial disadvantage in purchasing business attire when beginning the internship. To date, 848 students have been offered Law Links Internship.
The Law Links Internship was initiated in Baltimore City in 1994; over the years, and dependent on funding, Law Links expanded to include other counties. It currently runs in Baltimore City, and is available to rising juniors and seniors who attend city public high schools.
Law Links is a 7-week, paid summer internship that places high school juniors and seniors in law firms and law-related agencies. Interns work full-time, Monday through Friday, and are paid $11.00/hour. In addition to the on-site internship, students also participate in the Law & Leadership Institute - a 50-hour educational seminar that begins with a 2 1/2 day orientation and resumes each Wednesday morning. The Institute is held at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
The internship is much more than a summer-jobs program: it is designed to effectively prepare young people for college and careers. As part of their participation in Law Links, youth are outfitted with professional attire from either Ann Taylor or Joseph A. Banks. This removes the question of what is "appropriate" professional dress, and also ensures no student is at a financial disadvantage in purchasing business attire when beginning the internship. To date, 848 students have been offered Law Links Internship.
MY Baltimore City Council Page Program
The City Council Page Program is a jointly sponsored initiative between the City Council and MYLaw. Each year, students are hired as legislative pages, to support the work of City Council members and staff, as well as to "work the floor" during City Council hearings. Applications are available to juniors and seniors from city schools, beginning in late August. The application deadline falls in September. Selections are made in October, after all interviews are conducted.
The City Council Page Program is a jointly sponsored initiative between the City Council and MYLaw. Each year, students are hired as legislative pages, to support the work of City Council members and staff, as well as to "work the floor" during City Council hearings. Applications are available to juniors and seniors from city schools, beginning in late August. The application deadline falls in September. Selections are made in October, after all interviews are conducted.
